Athletes for Education Hosts Student Athlete Combine

RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, August 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) Athletes for Education (AFE) hosted their Inaugural Combine in partnership with the Sunset Elementary PTA on the campus of Sunset Elementary on June 30, 2012, benefiting boys and girls from the ages of ten to 13. The combine consisted of specific drills for both cheerleaders and football players and included instruction from both AFE professional athletes and community coaches plus provided the students with complimentary lunch and AFE t-shirts. In total, 132 student athletes were served by this event with 40 community volunteers, 12 football skills coaches including current and former professional athletes Leon White, Karl Wilson, Greg Camarillo and Lonny Mitchell.

According to AFE Executive Director Leslie Herrmann, "AFE is proud to have provided this interactive event for deserving youth from throughout the San Diego community. We had several professional athletes in attendance, who are affiliated with the AFE program and that volunteered their time to impart athletic skills to all who participated. In addition, AFE Board members lent a hand to ensure all children had a meaningful experience --- we hope to make this an annual event. Of particular importance was the contribution provided by a large number of volunteers who participated. We could not have hosted this event without their dedicated support."

AFE is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization comprised of current and former professional athletes, entertainers, business/community leaders and volunteers. Now in its 19th year, AFE promotes children's health and wellness, teaches teamwork and discipline, builds self-confidence, imparts life skills and directly connects hard work with incentives and rewards. The mission of AFE is "Helping Our Youth Help Themselves". Annually, over 5,000 lives are touched by AFE in the U.S. and an additional 1,000 people are served across the United States and Mexico. AFE Founder Steven Haynes, is a recent recipient of the 10News Leadership Award; this award is granted to those who provide exemplary leadership by making San Diego a better place to live, standing up for those who need help, has initiated or created solutions for others, is a role model and fulfills a local need thereby improving the quality of life for all San Diegans. AFE is also a recipient of the Governor's Gold Medal Award for Fitness and Health presented to Sunset Elementary, Steve Gregory's SG squad and AFE. For additional information, visit http://www.afefoundation.org.